Comments on: Your Story http://www.theholeinourgospel.com The Hole In Our Gospel Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:15:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Liz & Simon Evans http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/your-story/comment-page-3/#comment-4145 Liz & Simon Evans Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:15:45 +0000 http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/?page_id=90#comment-4145 We read this book as part of our Xmas holiday reading in 2010. It has absolutely put us back on the path to realising we have always had \'Missions\' on our hearts. We have long encouraged our 2 children to be involved in Missions and last year when Simon went bankrupt and we lost all our assets and couldn\'t get any of the jobs we applied for, God dumped into our lap a wonderful opportunity of doing Mission Building in the Solomons. After spending all our 30 years of marriage working hard to save for our retirement, everything was taken away from us and now we are most fulfilled without a home of our own living in a rent-free bedsit underneath a local Pastor\'s house in Honiara. We have both read Rich\'s books twice and have lost count how many of this book we have purchased and given away. The challenge to everyone who reads this book is \'what are you going to do about it?\' It is wonderful living and serving God in a 3rd world country and we wouldn\'t change any of it! We look forward to the next adventure God has for us after the current project is finished. Thank you Rich for sharing your story. We read this book as part of our Xmas holiday reading in 2010. It has absolutely put us back on the path to realising we have always had \’Missions\’ on our hearts. We have long encouraged our 2 children to be involved in Missions and last year when Simon went bankrupt and we lost all our assets and couldn\’t get any of the jobs we applied for, God dumped into our lap a wonderful opportunity of doing Mission Building in the Solomons. After spending all our 30 years of marriage working hard to save for our retirement, everything was taken away from us and now we are most fulfilled without a home of our own living in a rent-free bedsit underneath a local Pastor\’s house in Honiara. We have both read Rich\’s books twice and have lost count how many of this book we have purchased and given away. The challenge to everyone who reads this book is \’what are you going to do about it?\’ It is wonderful living and serving God in a 3rd world country and we wouldn\’t change any of it! We look forward to the next adventure God has for us after the current project is finished. Thank you Rich for sharing your story.

]]> By: Jan Lamm http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/your-story/comment-page-3/#comment-4140 Jan Lamm Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:01:19 +0000 http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/?page_id=90#comment-4140 Dear Richard, My church, Ingomar United Methodist in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, just completed a church wide small group study of your book, \"The Hole in Our Gospel\". It has had a profound effect on me personally, as well as our congregation. We have committed to raising funds for clean water to be sent to Kenya and Hondouras,two countries in which our members serve. I personally participated in a ten day medical mission in Hounduras this year. It was an incredible experience. In addition, I personally am sending to World Vision a gift of $100.00 to be used however your organization sees fit. This Christmas Eve, our pastor has decided that the offering taken in all four services that day will be used to provide clean water throughout the world. As I said, your book had a profound impact upon me, especially after serving in a third world country this year. My response, beside sponsoring a family in Honduras, is to contact as many churches as I can in the North Hills of Pittsburgh where I live, and challenge them to also do a church wide study of your book, hoping that at least some will partner with us to give to the need of clean water for the world. I also was deeply moved by the story of God\'s call upn your life. May He richly bless you for your obedience, passion and dedication. Blessings upon you and your family this Christmas and in His New Year. Sincerely, Jan Lamm Dear Richard,
My church, Ingomar United Methodist in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, just
completed a church wide small group study of your book, \”The Hole in Our
Gospel\”.
It has had a profound effect on me personally, as well as our
congregation.
We have committed to raising funds for clean water to be sent to Kenya
and Hondouras,two countries in which our members serve. I personally
participated in a ten day medical mission in Hounduras this year. It was
an incredible experience.
In addition, I personally am sending to World Vision a gift of $100.00
to be used however your organization sees fit.
This Christmas Eve, our pastor has decided that the offering taken in
all four services that day will be used to provide clean water
throughout the world.
As I said, your book had a profound impact upon me, especially after
serving in a third world country this year.
My response, beside sponsoring a family in Honduras, is to contact as
many churches as I can in the North Hills of Pittsburgh where I live,
and challenge them to also do a church wide study of your book, hoping
that at least some will partner with us to give to the need of clean
water for the world.
I also was deeply moved by the story of God\’s call upn your life.
May He richly bless you for your obedience, passion and dedication.
Blessings upon you and your family this Christmas and in His New Year.
Sincerely,
Jan Lamm

]]> By: Kim Albrecht http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/your-story/comment-page-3/#comment-4113 Kim Albrecht Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:54:04 +0000 http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/?page_id=90#comment-4113 A few months ago I was sitting at home with a cup of coffee, enjoying the fresh spring air and lilacs in bloom. The comfort of that afternoon was suspended by a shocking message in my email inbox from World Vision warning: “There’s a Drought Threatening the Lives of 7 Million People in the Horn of Africa.” I contemplated how much water I brush in, swim in, drink, shower, flush and water flowers with - and then I wrote the song “There’s a Drought” - a song that would become the title track to a musical collaboration to help drought victims. Our small group at church had read “The Hole in Our Gospel.” We wrestled with the questions it raises, like “Who is my neighbor?” and “What does God expect of us?”. The email “There’s a drought...” and the challenges from Richard Stearns’ book became lyrics in the song. World Vision’s warning inspired the song. The song inspired the cd project, and a community is coming together to share the story of this suffering and to help! Today as the drought impacts over 14 million people, it is hard to imagine how something as simple as access to water, something I totally take for granted, can be the difference between life and death for millions upon millions of people. Fully aware that the problems in our world are both sophisticated and simple, the project “There’s a Drought” is a small response to the enormous catastrophe being referred to as “The worst humanitarian situation in the world today.” KIm Albrecht albrecht.kim@gmail.com There’s a Drought (facebook) A few months ago I was sitting at home with a cup of coffee, enjoying the fresh spring air and lilacs in bloom. The comfort of that afternoon was suspended by a shocking message in my email inbox from World Vision warning: “There’s a Drought Threatening the Lives of 7 Million People in the Horn of Africa.” I contemplated how much water I brush in, swim in, drink, shower, flush and water flowers with – and then I wrote the song “There’s a Drought” – a song that would become the title track to a musical collaboration to help drought victims.

Our small group at church had read “The Hole in Our Gospel.” We wrestled with the questions it raises, like “Who is my neighbor?” and “What does God expect of us?”. The
email “There’s a drought…” and the challenges from Richard Stearns’ book became lyrics in the song. World Vision’s warning inspired the song. The song inspired the cd project, and a community is coming together to share the story of this suffering and to help!

Today as the drought impacts over 14 million people, it is hard to imagine how something as simple as access to water, something I totally take for granted, can be the difference between life and death for millions upon millions of people. Fully aware that the problems in our world are both sophisticated and simple, the project “There’s a Drought” is a small response to the enormous catastrophe being referred to as “The worst humanitarian situation in the world today.”

KIm Albrecht
albrecht.kim@gmail.com

There’s a Drought (facebook)

]]> By: Terazzah http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/your-story/comment-page-3/#comment-4112 Terazzah Tue, 18 Oct 2011 07:06:29 +0000 http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/?page_id=90#comment-4112 OCTOBER 17, 2011 After a mostly satisfying career of Clinical Nurse Examiner and Health Service Specialist I realize that I was living in a fantasy world. I am a sinner saved only by God unmerited favor. I have trespassed most of the Ten Commandments. I have not kept my own promises to God. Because all people have sinned, we have fallen short of God\'s glory. And all of us consciously come short of that glory Romans 3:23. This is my life’ story and testament. Life you see is what happens while we wait for retirement? Or what happens when we wait for anything, really. And anything could be; when the kids grow up, when my finances get better and of course my favorite saying when I have more time. Which explains my acronym of a word that I practically coined, it is “Busy; or B= binded U=under, S= Satan’s Y=Yolk. I wanted to run away. Early retirement offered an escape. Today one world call it the need to start living my Bucket List life.” Retirement offered me that escape. Like most retirees, I found myself excited and a little restless about the possibilities for the future. When I took inventory of my life. I ended my marriage and set out to live my life as I saw fit. I had considered my marriage of thirty-one years a disappointment. And for years I felt trapped inside my marriage by financial bondages. Also by the lack of (what I considered intimate-connection) and closer family ties. Yes. I did walked away from what seemed to be a reasonably happy marriage (I would regret that decision later). Ask yourself, how could a Sunday school teacher leave her “Deacon” husband, and the father of her children? And walk away l her work as Church Newsletter Editor? Because, I was living in a fantasy life. Yet I still ask myself why and that question remains un-answered to this day. I am sure I got married way too young and for the wrong reason. How could I put all my Church experiences, life experiences, professional career and Faith fit into my plan for self discovery, fun filled days and romantic nights. Or an active retired life style? It was in the middle of thinking about my post-retirement future that things began to change. Could I weave all my great loves together? I thought to myself, yes but only if you, father God be with me every day and every step of the way. I enjoy talking about the bible, being with people, being active and talking to strangers and seeing my God in action. But that is getting ahead of the transforming events. The first eye opening self-realization was when I was age 14. I read the bible from cover and got baptized. But strangely and to my surprise when I was ducked into that cold church pool, I came up as the same person I was before getting dumped. I had anticipated an epiphany. But it wasn’t to be. Then in 1970 I witnessed what a true example of a Christian is. My younger sister demonstrated by her actions of what a real Christian was. She paid tithe, attended bible study, walked the Christian every day. But during that time I was too “BUSY” working and rearing my kids. But I was immediately moved by my younger sister life. For the first time in my life, I began to understand the magnitude of what being Christian meant. After my own face-to-face personal experience with God I had my own proof and experience. I realize self-actualization and I got that Epiphany some people only long for. It was my real life personal experience (or my wrestling with God, like Jacob at the river Jabbok where Jacob wrestled with the Angel). It happened first during my walk to Emmaus and again a few years later at a Church conference in South Florida. Those two events gave me a direct “awe and wow” experience that some preachers have? It was then that I knew for sure that God talked to my directly. I felt it many times, but always thought it was in my own mind. But this time I had a visual, auditory, kinetic and cognitive experience. I then knew for sure that God is real. It changed me forever. After my Walk to Emmaus {http://upperroom.org/emmaus/whatis/}I became totally devoted to my faith’ I became convicted of the necessity of service as well as tithe and offerings. I wanted to let my light shine as an active follower of Jesus Christ not just a believer. I started an online outreach Ministry “http://www.survivals.org/.” I use Facebook and all resources available to tell others of my experiences with God and my walk with Christ. And I began feeding street people as they ask for handouts at traffic lights. Today, I can say God is good all the time and my life experiences have made me who I am today. I am truly an example of a sinner saved by Grace. Today I still enjoy my title; God’s ambassador. I enjoy talking about the bible, being with people, being active and talking to strangers and seeing my God in action. It’s now all about God’ Grace, awesome love and being with people. I enjoy serving God too. Although” The pay isn’t too good, the retirement is out of this world. For years now, I’ve been more involved in my church and I’m investing my time, energy and money. I praise God and God’s awesome love. OCTOBER 17, 2011

After a mostly satisfying career of Clinical Nurse Examiner and Health Service Specialist
I realize that I was living in a fantasy world. I am a sinner saved only by God unmerited favor. I have trespassed most of the Ten Commandments. I have not kept my own promises to God. Because all people have sinned, we have fallen short of God\’s glory. And all of us consciously come short of that glory Romans 3:23. This is my life’ story and testament. Life you see is what happens while we wait for retirement? Or what happens when we wait for anything, really. And anything could be; when the kids grow up, when my finances get better and of course my favorite saying when I have more time. Which explains my acronym of a word that I practically coined, it is “Busy; or B= binded U=under, S= Satan’s Y=Yolk.

I wanted to run away. Early retirement offered an escape. Today one world call it the
need to start living my Bucket List life.” Retirement offered me that escape. Like most retirees, I found myself excited and a little restless about the possibilities for the future. When I took inventory of my life. I ended my marriage and set out to live my life as I saw fit. I had considered my marriage of thirty-one years a disappointment. And for years I felt trapped inside my marriage by financial bondages. Also by the lack of (what I considered intimate-connection) and closer family ties. Yes. I did walked away from what seemed to be a reasonably happy marriage (I would regret that decision later). Ask yourself, how could a Sunday school teacher leave her “Deacon” husband, and the father of her children? And walk away l her work as Church Newsletter Editor? Because, I was
living in a fantasy life. Yet I still ask myself why and that question remains un-answered to this day. I am sure I got married way too young and for the wrong reason.

How could I put all my Church experiences, life experiences, professional career and Faith fit into my plan for self discovery, fun filled days and romantic nights. Or an active retired life style? It was in the middle of thinking about my post-retirement future that things began to change. Could I weave all my great loves together? I thought to myself, yes but only if you, father God be with me every day and every step of the way. I enjoy talking about the bible, being with people, being active and talking to strangers and seeing my God in action. But that is getting ahead of the transforming events.

The first eye opening self-realization was when I was age 14. I read the bible from cover and got baptized. But strangely and to my surprise when I was ducked into that cold church pool, I came up as the same person I was before getting dumped. I had anticipated an epiphany. But it wasn’t to be. Then in 1970 I witnessed what a true example of a Christian is. My younger sister demonstrated by her actions of what a real Christian was. She paid tithe, attended bible study, walked the Christian every day. But during that time I was too “BUSY” working and rearing my kids. But I was immediately moved by my younger sister life. For the first time in my life, I began to understand the magnitude of what being Christian meant.

After my own face-to-face personal experience with God I had my own proof and experience. I realize self-actualization and I got that Epiphany some people only long for. It was my real life personal experience (or my wrestling with God, like Jacob at the river Jabbok where Jacob wrestled with the Angel). It happened first during my walk to Emmaus and again a few years later at a Church conference in South Florida. Those two events gave me a direct “awe and wow” experience that some preachers have? It was then that I knew for sure that God talked to my directly. I felt it many times, but always thought it was in my own mind. But this time I had a visual, auditory, kinetic and cognitive experience. I then knew for sure that God is real. It changed me forever.

After my Walk to Emmaus {http://upperroom.org/emmaus/whatis/}I became totally devoted to my faith’ I became convicted of the necessity of service as well as tithe and offerings. I wanted to let my light shine as an active follower of Jesus Christ not just a believer. I started an online outreach Ministry “http://www.survivals.org/.” I use Facebook and all resources available to tell others of my experiences with God and my walk with Christ. And I began feeding street people as they ask for handouts at traffic lights. Today, I can say God is good all the time and my life experiences have made me who I am today. I am truly an example of a sinner saved by Grace. Today I still enjoy my title; God’s ambassador. I enjoy talking about the bible, being with people, being active and talking to strangers and seeing my God in action. It’s now all about God’ Grace, awesome love and being with people. I enjoy serving God too. Although” The pay isn’t too good, the retirement is out of this world. For years now, I’ve been more involved in my church and I’m investing my time, energy and money. I praise God and God’s awesome love.

]]> By: Wayne Snyder http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/your-story/comment-page-3/#comment-4104 Wayne Snyder Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:32:26 +0000 http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/?page_id=90#comment-4104 My story, of course, begins with Richard Stearns’ powerhouse book, The Hole in Our Gospel. Upon finishing it for the first time, I found myself shedding tears of shame on behalf of the Church – Lazarus is indeed lying at our gate, and like the rich man, we the Church are passing him by. As the words “this is going to ruin my life” were torn from me, I wondered at them. I wanted to spread this amazing book’s message throughout the broader Church; our plans for paying down the mortgage, travel, and a recent investment in a career change (teaching first graders) were suddenly at risk. In response to a persistent whisper from within, I wrote a summary of the The Hole in Our Gospel to share with pastors whom I knew were too busy to read the book. As plans to distribute the summary began to dominate my thinking, I shared the summary with Mr. Stearns, who was kind enough to read, comment, and correct it while encouraging me in my plans. Ideas, confirmations, unlooked for resources and support continued to place themselves in my path, and my enthusiasm for the project grew almost daily. I was nearing a decision point. I had found teaching to be very rewarding, but a jealous taskmaster, allowing little time for other pursuits. Yet the project I was envisioning was clearly going to demand a significant investment in time and energy. Our gracious Lord gently led me to a place where I could see what I had to do. I gave notice of intent to resign my teaching position at year-end on a Thursday afternoon. Early the very next morning, I met with a group of men who had been reading the book and wanted to hear about the project; they spontaneously decided to purchase books for their entire congregation! Did I mention that our Lord is very gracious in his leadings and confirmations? The result of all this is mendingthehole.org – the sole purpose of this site, and its companion email campaign, is to point church leaders to The Hole in Our Gospel by providing a great discount, a preview to spur interest, and a collection of free resources to help pastors in using this book with their congregations. Over the last three months, our small team of email volunteers has introduced 43 churches and 759 new readers to this transforming book. And this with only a small handful of volunteers.... imagine what we could do with 20 volunteers! Information about how you can get involved is on the site. Far from “ruining my life,” God’s call to me through Mr. Stearns’ book has been a blessing and a joy. If you are reading this story, you already know for yourself the transforming power of The Hole in Our Gospel. Please pray that our gracious Lord touches the heart of each new person who reads it, moving them to joyful action that furthers the advance of His kingdom on earth. Wayne Snyder Fort Collins, Colorado, USA My story, of course, begins with Richard Stearns’ powerhouse book, The Hole in Our Gospel. Upon finishing it for the first time, I found myself shedding tears of shame on behalf of the Church – Lazarus is indeed lying at our gate, and like the rich man, we the Church are passing him by. As the words “this is going to ruin my life” were torn from me, I wondered at them. I wanted to spread this amazing book’s message throughout the broader Church; our plans for paying down the mortgage, travel, and a recent investment in a career change (teaching first graders) were suddenly at risk.

In response to a persistent whisper from within, I wrote a summary of the The Hole in Our Gospel to share with pastors whom I knew were too busy to read the book. As plans to distribute the summary began to dominate my thinking, I shared the summary with Mr. Stearns, who was kind enough to read, comment, and correct it while encouraging me in my plans. Ideas, confirmations, unlooked for resources and support continued to place themselves in my path, and my enthusiasm for the project grew almost daily.

I was nearing a decision point. I had found teaching to be very rewarding, but a jealous taskmaster, allowing little time for other pursuits. Yet the project I was envisioning was clearly going to demand a significant investment in time and energy. Our gracious Lord gently led me to a place where I could see what I had to do.
I gave notice of intent to resign my teaching position at year-end on a Thursday afternoon. Early the very next morning, I met with a group of men who had been reading the book and wanted to hear about the project; they spontaneously decided to purchase books for their entire congregation! Did I mention that our Lord is very gracious in his leadings and confirmations?

The result of all this is mendingthehole.org – the sole purpose of this site, and its companion email campaign, is to point church leaders to The Hole in Our Gospel by providing a great discount, a preview to spur interest, and a collection of free resources to help pastors in using this book with their congregations. Over the last three months, our small team of email volunteers has introduced 43 churches and 759 new readers to this transforming book. And this with only a small handful of volunteers…. imagine what we could do with 20 volunteers! Information about how you can get involved is on the site.

Far from “ruining my life,” God’s call to me through Mr. Stearns’ book has been a blessing and a joy. If you are reading this story, you already know for yourself the transforming power of The Hole in Our Gospel. Please pray that our gracious Lord touches the heart of each new person who reads it, moving them to joyful action that furthers the advance of His kingdom on earth.

Wayne Snyder
Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

]]> By: Chris Meekins http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/your-story/comment-page-3/#comment-4099 Chris Meekins Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:58:32 +0000 http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/?page_id=90#comment-4099 After a full satisfying career of firefighting in the suburbs of Cleveland, OH, I decided it was time to retire. Like most retirees, I found myself excited and a little restless about the possibilities for the future. I took inventory of my life. I love God. I love the church. I love to pray and see God in action. I love talking and being with people. How could I weave all these great loves together? For over 30 years, I’ve been involved in my local church and invested my time and money there. It was in the middle of thinking about my future (one can do a lot of thinking while sitting around) that I picked up the best seller, Hole In Our Gospel by Richard Stern, CEO of Worldvision. This is when things began to change. I was immediately moved by the book. For the first time in my life, I began to understand the magnitude of the orphan problem in Central Africa and comprehended the seriousness of the AIDS pandemic. As a father of four children, I felt compassion for the families and began to imagine the pain and yearning that fathers all over Africa must be feeling as they try to raise their own families in dangerous and challenging circumstances. As I finished the book, I realized I was living in a fantasy world- a Disney World- while the orphans of Central Africa were living in what can only be appropriately described as hell. What were these orphaned children going to do? What would become of them? What was a retired middle class firefighter from Cleveland, Ohio, supposed to do? Then I felt something deep in my soul, in a new way I had never experienced before; I was completely broken--not broken over my own trivial problems or my boring schedule--but broken over the massive need in Central Africa. So I responded the only way I knew how- on my knees, crying, and asking God, “God, what could I do? What do you want me to do? I’ll do whatever… but I can’t do it without you.” And then...the answer. Like most retirees, I had taken up a new hobby: roasting coffee. It was only after I had prayed and asked God what I should do that the picture became clear - coffee and Africa. Why not sell this delicious, home roasted coffee, and give away the profits to orphans in Central Africa? Presto! Greater Bean was born! Today, I spend my days roasting a superb coffee, selling it, and supporting orphans. Greater Bean’s mission and vision is to support as many orphans in Central Africa, which coffee sales will support. So what will you do? Will you join the vision? Will you enjoy a little coffee for a cause? This story isn’t over. We are just beginning. Join the story. Join Greater Bean! After a full satisfying career of firefighting in the suburbs of Cleveland, OH, I decided it was time to retire. Like most retirees, I found myself excited and a little restless about the possibilities for the future. I took inventory of my life.
I love God.
I love the church.
I love to pray and see God in action.
I love talking and being with people.
How could I weave all these great loves together? For over 30 years, I’ve been involved in my local church and invested my time and money there. It was in the middle of thinking about my future (one can do a lot of thinking while sitting around) that I picked up the best seller, Hole In Our Gospel by Richard Stern, CEO of Worldvision.
This is when things began to change. I was immediately moved by the book. For the first time in my life, I began to understand the magnitude of the orphan problem in Central Africa and comprehended the seriousness of the AIDS pandemic. As a father of four children, I felt compassion for the families and began to imagine the pain and yearning that fathers all over Africa must be feeling as they try to raise their own families in dangerous and challenging circumstances.
As I finished the book, I realized I was living in a fantasy world- a Disney World- while the orphans of Central Africa were living in what can only be appropriately described as hell. What were these orphaned children going to do? What would become of them? What was a retired middle class firefighter from Cleveland, Ohio, supposed to do?
Then I felt something deep in my soul, in a new way I had never experienced before; I was completely broken–not broken over my own trivial problems or my boring schedule–but broken over the massive need in Central Africa. So I responded the only way I knew how- on my knees, crying, and asking God, “God, what could I do? What do you want me to do? I’ll do whatever… but I can’t do it without you.” And then…the answer.
Like most retirees, I had taken up a new hobby: roasting coffee. It was only after I had prayed and asked God what I should do that the picture became clear – coffee and Africa. Why not sell this delicious, home roasted coffee, and give away the profits to orphans in Central Africa? Presto! Greater Bean was born!
Today, I spend my days roasting a superb coffee, selling it, and supporting orphans. Greater Bean’s mission and vision is to support as many orphans in Central Africa, which coffee sales will support. So what will you do? Will you join the vision? Will you enjoy a little coffee for a cause? This story isn’t over. We are just beginning. Join the story. Join Greater Bean!

]]> By: Christopher Annan http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/your-story/comment-page-3/#comment-4079 Christopher Annan Sun, 21 Aug 2011 12:42:47 +0000 http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/?page_id=90#comment-4079 Dear Brethren, I have inexpressible pressure in seizing this opportunity to address this humble and short letter to you today. I am Pastor Christopher Annan an end time gospel preacher,I was born in the year 1976 Aiyinasi village. I lost my father in 1996,from that time its became very difficult for me to continue or further my formal education. However in 1997,I first had an encounter with the Lord,when a Pastor,Pastor Tagoe met me,He shear the gospel of our Lord Jesus with me, that was where I felt the need to search for Christ.The Pastor adopted me,I therefore move to stay with him at the mission House of Holy Fire Revival Ministries Aiyinasi my village. I seriously got involved in the work of ministry with the Pastor everywhere. At the mission House,one night in 1998 as I was alone I heard a voice\"My son I have called you to do my work,I have equipped you well enough for my work\".I was not sure of this.I informed my Pastor! and He also confirmed that He saw it the very first day He met me. From 1998 to 2001 I got very much involved in the work of ministry.It was like,I was trained practically by my pastor, Pastor Tagoe.I took leadership position first as the evangelism team leader and later the prayer force leader.He gave me also preaching appointments and later made me a lay-preacher. In 2001 I enrolled at the Disciples Strategy Academy,a Bible school of Holy Fire Ministries. I completed the Bible college in the year 2002.My Pastor Tagoe had then left on transfer to the capital city-Accra.Pastor Albert Appiah asked me to help him in his ministry in Kumasi-Harvest House Church. I worked with him for two years and decided to open a branch of the ministry for me at Aiyinasi,my village.I have since been pastoring the branch at Aiyinasi my village. Concerning miracles the Lord has used me in many ways.The latest was the only child of a man who was declared hopeless and that He was going to die.With compassion I prayed for the child.the child is now Health and very strong and the entire family are converted. Now our God in heaven had gave me a vision to go out and preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ but I don\'t have preaching equipment and outreach van,even I did farming project before I got money to rent a equipment for the crusade.Now I want to go out to preach the good news about our Lord Jesus Christ to the lost people in this world-wide. I am doing this for Christ sake,but the money that I used to support the farm got finish and I don\'t have any financial support from any where to do this work. Now, I want you,your ministries and comity members who are in the Lord and to the place that called the name of Jesus to support me preaching equipment and out reach van or if you can give financial support to do farming project to raise funds to buy the equipment and out reach van to fulfill this vision in this end time,may God will bless you so much. I have to end here . Greetings to all saint in the Lord. May God bless you for your support. I hope to see help from you to preach the gospel and to reach to unreached people on this world and help the poor. Thanks Yours in the Lord Pastor Christopher Annan World Day of WorshipOut Reach Crusade Ghana P.O.Box126 Aiyinasi-Axim,Ghana phone number:00233-246-817410 www.worlddayofworshipghana.webs.com Dear Brethren,
I have inexpressible pressure in
seizing this opportunity to address this humble and
short letter to you today.

I am Pastor Christopher Annan an end time gospel preacher,I was born in the year
1976 Aiyinasi village.
I lost my father in 1996,from that time its
became very difficult for me to continue or further my
formal education.

However in 1997,I first had an encounter with the
Lord,when a Pastor,Pastor Tagoe met me,He shear the
gospel of our Lord Jesus with me,
that was where I felt the need to search for
Christ.The Pastor adopted me,I therefore move to stay
with him at the mission House of Holy Fire Revival
Ministries Aiyinasi my village.
I seriously got involved in the work of ministry with
the Pastor everywhere.

At the mission House,one night in 1998 as I was alone
I heard a voice\”My son I have called you to do my
work,I have equipped you well enough for my work\”.I was
not sure of this.I informed my Pastor! and
He also confirmed that He saw it the very first day
He met me.

From 1998 to 2001 I got very much involved in the
work of ministry.It was like,I was trained
practically by my pastor, Pastor Tagoe.I
took leadership position first as the evangelism team
leader and later the prayer force leader.He gave me
also
preaching appointments and later made me a
lay-preacher.
In 2001 I enrolled at the Disciples Strategy
Academy,a Bible school of Holy Fire Ministries.
I completed the Bible college in the year 2002.My
Pastor Tagoe had then left on
transfer to the capital city-Accra.Pastor Albert
Appiah asked me to help him in his ministry in
Kumasi-Harvest House Church.
I worked with him for two years and decided to open a
branch of the ministry for me at Aiyinasi,my
village.I have since been pastoring the branch at
Aiyinasi my village.

Concerning miracles the Lord has used me in many
ways.The latest was the only child of a man who was
declared hopeless and that He was going to die.With
compassion I prayed for the child.the child is now
Health and very strong and the entire family are
converted.

Now our God in heaven had gave me a vision to go out and preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ but I don\’t have preaching equipment and outreach van,even I did farming project before I got money to rent a equipment for the crusade.Now I want to go out to preach
the good news about our Lord Jesus Christ to the lost
people in this world-wide.

I am doing this for Christ sake,but the money that I used to support the farm got finish and I
don\’t have any financial support from any where to do
this work.

Now, I want you,your ministries and comity members
who are in the Lord and to the place that called the
name of Jesus to support me preaching equipment and out reach van or if you can give financial support to do farming project to raise funds to buy the equipment and out reach van to fulfill this
vision in this end time,may God will bless you so much.

I have to end here .

Greetings to all saint in the Lord.
May God bless you for your support.

I hope to see help from you to preach the gospel and
to reach to unreached people on this world and help the poor.

Thanks
Yours in the Lord
Pastor Christopher Annan
World Day of WorshipOut Reach Crusade Ghana
P.O.Box126 Aiyinasi-Axim,Ghana
phone number:00233-246-817410
http://www.worlddayofworshipghana.webs.com

]]> By: neetu kalsekar http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/your-story/comment-page-3/#comment-4075 neetu kalsekar Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:34:17 +0000 http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/?page_id=90#comment-4075 praise the lord ny name is neetu kalsekar. my husbandworks in a hotel as a captain, and is the sole bread winner for my family.i have a son who is about 2yrs.i have a children ministry by the name of samarpit.there are few slum children in my locality to whom i share the love of god by means of telling story etc. but we are not so strong and so cant help these poor childrens.i whould request you to kindly send some kind of an aid like lit and gifts to us to help the poor childrens. praise the lord
ny name is neetu kalsekar. my husbandworks in a hotel as a captain, and is the sole bread winner for my family.i have a son who is about 2yrs.i have a children ministry by the name of samarpit.there are few slum children in my locality to whom i share the love of god by means of telling story etc. but we are not so strong and so cant help these poor childrens.i whould request you to kindly send some kind of an aid like lit and gifts to us to help the poor childrens.

]]> By: Katie Bonner http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/your-story/comment-page-3/#comment-4053 Katie Bonner Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:15:27 +0000 http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/?page_id=90#comment-4053 I wanted to express how much I appreciate that Richard Stearns chose to candidly express his own personal journey to see God\'s heart for the \"least of these\" as well as exhort, challenge and encourage the readers to love their neighbor as Christ loves us! For many, many years I have daily wrestled with the awareness that I have so much. Although I know being grateful is good and appropriate, it just seemed so inadequate and somehow lacking something. For many years I thought maybe the goal was to tune out these overwhelming \"voices\" as I refer to my thoughts. Instead God, in His patient, unending mercy and grace, has helped me see over the years that He is opening my heart to see His children and to learn to listen to Him. Rather than quieting the voices I now pray \"What can I do?\", \"What do you want me to know/hear/see/do?\". I still get so overwhelmed, both with staggering needs that, of course, I can\'t address on my own or with my own tendency to become numb or desensitized. Reading \"The Hole in Our Gospel\" has given my wrestling and thoughts a voice. I am a teacher in our public school system, which is such a ministry to me. In addition, my husband and I have 3 children and became foster parents 3 years ago. We actually just completed the adoption process of a girl who was placed in our care and have the opportunity to love her Mom, who is in prison. We give thanks always for World Vision and the many people involved who are around the world ministering and serving to show God\'s love. We are thankful we can help in such a small way by sponsoring children. Thank you for listening. One final thought - On July 4th our family went to watch the symphony perform and then fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July. I was struck as I watched the symphony play how absolutely beautiful the music is and how it\'s due to every instrument playing it\'s part. Each instrument played independently is, of course, music and pretty, but oh how beautiful when they are all played together!! And, how much more can be accomplished!! A personal daily struggle of mine is feeling overwhelmed with how great the needs are that abound and wondering what really I can do / what I can accomplish / can I really help? Well, as I watched the symphony perform I had to laugh as I imagined how silly, ridiculous, impossible and disastrous it would look and sound if one person was trying to play everyone\'s part. I imagined one person up on stage running from instrument to instrument. I have to confess that my struggle reveals my pride as I put too much weight on my own part. Imagine though how beautiful it is and can be when Christ\'s church comes together with each member \"playing their part\". What could happen if we all do?! How absolutely beautiful would that be!!! So, as we seek to know God\'s heart (and He does tell us that if we seek we will find) and are often tempted to be overwhelmed with the magnitude of all that surrounds us and often tempted to dismiss or ignore it, we can have great hope as we know that it is He who equips us, it is His idea, His heart and His passion - we are merely players in His symphony. How exciting!! I wanted to express how much I
appreciate that Richard Stearns chose to candidly express his own
personal journey to see God\’s heart for the \”least of these\” as well as
exhort, challenge and encourage the readers to love their neighbor as
Christ loves us! For many, many years I have daily wrestled with the
awareness that I have so much. Although I know being grateful is good
and appropriate, it just seemed so inadequate and somehow lacking
something. For many years I thought maybe the goal was to tune out these
overwhelming \”voices\” as I refer to my thoughts. Instead God, in His
patient, unending mercy and grace, has helped me see over the years
that He is opening my heart to see His children and to learn to listen
to Him. Rather than quieting the voices I now pray \”What can I do?\”,
\”What do you want me to know/hear/see/do?\”. I still get so overwhelmed,
both with staggering needs that, of course, I can\’t address on my own or
with my own tendency to become numb or desensitized. Reading \”The Hole
in Our Gospel\” has given my wrestling and thoughts a voice. I am a
teacher in our public school system, which is such a ministry to me. In addition, my husband and I have 3 children and became foster parents 3 years ago. We actually
just completed the adoption process of a girl who was placed in our care
and have the opportunity to love her Mom, who is in prison. We give
thanks always for World Vision and the many people involved who are
around the world ministering and serving to show God\’s love. We are
thankful we can help in such a small way by sponsoring children. Thank
you for listening. One final thought – On July 4th our family went to watch the symphony perform and then fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July. I was struck as I watched the symphony play how absolutely beautiful the music is and how it\’s due to every instrument playing it\’s part. Each instrument played independently is, of course, music and pretty, but oh how beautiful when they are all played together!! And, how much more can be accomplished!! A personal daily struggle of mine is feeling overwhelmed with how great the needs are that abound and wondering what really I can do / what I can accomplish / can I really help? Well, as I watched the symphony perform I had to laugh as I imagined how silly, ridiculous, impossible and disastrous it would look and sound if one person was trying to play everyone\’s part. I imagined one person up on stage running from instrument to instrument. I have to confess that my struggle reveals my pride as I put too much weight on my own part. Imagine though how beautiful it is and can be when Christ\’s church comes together with each member \”playing their part\”. What could happen if we all do?! How absolutely beautiful would that be!!! So, as we seek to know God\’s heart (and He does tell us that if we seek we will find) and are often tempted to be overwhelmed with the magnitude of all that surrounds us and often tempted to dismiss or ignore it, we can have great hope as we know that it is He who equips us, it is His idea, His heart and His passion – we are merely players in His symphony. How exciting!!

]]> By: LINCOLN GOMES http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/your-story/comment-page-3/#comment-4034 LINCOLN GOMES Sat, 11 Jun 2011 07:25:30 +0000 http://www.theholeinourgospel.com/?page_id=90#comment-4034 Testimony Salvation Experience: Present Commitment: Vision for the Kingdom: My name is Lincoln Gomes. I had born in a nominal (Catholic Background) Christian Family. I rise up in a known educated and rich family where our social family statuses were very well-known. From my boyhood, at the age of my college life slowly those family circuses circumvent me. I use to go the Church and Sunday school program with my mother, but up to my college life age, I didn’t know Jesus as my personal savior. My life was totally worldly trackless and disappointed. I always try to ignore my life problem, one day I runway from my house to one of my friends place. From there I have received an appointment from a move director to become a move actor/Star. On the way towards our capital city Dhaka in bus stops I mate with a pastor, he was my father’s well wisher also he was involved solve our family problem. He lessons to me and acknowledges my problem and situation. He gave me a shelter, took me with him in his house. From there, every early morning he took me with him in to the church to pray and ask God for repentance and forgiveness for my personal sin. I used to pray with him but because of my lack of acceptance and wisdom about Christ Jesus, inside my heart and mind I could not fell anything change real acceptance repentance heart cried and as for giveness miraculous happen in my life. Two years later, during 1992 my life had been change socially, because in that time systematically. I am in a job in a Garments factory as a maintenance officer. At that time I have mate with a Korean pastor leader named Mr. Jung he suggest me to take training called (CDTS) to know God better. I left my job and I went Singapore during 1994 July for six months. After two weeks of my training one of our Bible Teacher taught us about the “Father heart of God.” God has given me a word from. The Bible his leaving word to me His word (Jer: 29:11) In the middle of the class section I could not hold my self; I have started to realize the work of the word of God in my life soul. I thank God, cried out to God as my father and asked God for giveness through out Jesus Christ for my personal sin. And the teacher came to me and prayed for, for the acceptance to receive Jesus Christ and his Promised to be my personal savior, and God be my father. Present Commitment to God: The Holy Spirit comforts me and gave me a peace to understand the plan and purpose of God for my personal life. After four days I had baptize in the water and I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior in front of all believes in east cost –sea. At this point we as a family serving with our nation as a minister evengelist leading bible study group to help our communoty people group to srand between the gap lack of the prasence of God into theirpersonal life. we are praying to have a fulltime support for our ministry so that we would be able to work effectively with in the entire community. From there God has blessed me in many ways to complete my One year my training with mission out reach. God was so faithful I came back to my country and join with a mission organization to make disciples. God has blessed me beautiful wife and two daughters and I believed they are the gift and I thank God for the opportunity to serve in my family as a father. God in so good and faithful to our family and family in Christ Every time Jesus has show his compression and grace; he put compression heart to minister his kingdom by power of his living word and grace. My compassionate prayer to know God better excellent to Study more and more form his living word and transformational development in our Christian society, Church and for the nation. My Vision for the Kingdom: The vision I have received from the power of prayer and the understanding the will of God through powerful grace of the holly Spirit. As it has been says, and prayed by Jesus may your kingdom come........ Your will be done..... As it is heaven. According to the prayerful prayer of Jesus the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Councilor and the savior of men. I have received the grace and faith to be a transform visionary for his kingdom to make him known through my new life experience. Yours truly, In HIM (Lincoln Gomes) Testimony

Salvation Experience: Present Commitment: Vision for the Kingdom:

My name is Lincoln Gomes. I had born in a nominal (Catholic Background) Christian Family. I rise up in a known educated and rich family where our social family statuses were very well-known. From my boyhood, at the age of my college life slowly those family circuses circumvent me. I use to go the Church and Sunday school program with my mother, but up to my college life age, I didn’t know Jesus as my personal savior. My life was totally worldly trackless and disappointed.
I always try to ignore my life problem, one day I runway from my house to one of my friends place. From there I have received an appointment from a move director to become a move actor/Star. On the way towards our capital city Dhaka in bus stops I mate with a pastor, he was my father’s well wisher also he was involved solve our family problem. He lessons to me and acknowledges my problem and situation. He gave me a shelter, took me with him in his house.
From there, every early morning he took me with him in to the church to pray and ask God for repentance and forgiveness for my personal sin. I used to pray with him but because of my lack of acceptance and wisdom about Christ Jesus, inside my heart and mind I could not fell anything change real acceptance repentance heart cried and as for giveness miraculous happen in my life.
Two years later, during 1992 my life had been change socially, because in that time systematically. I am in a job in a Garments factory as a maintenance officer. At that time I have mate with a Korean pastor leader named Mr. Jung he suggest me to take training called (CDTS) to know God better. I left my job and I went Singapore during 1994 July for six months. After two weeks of my training one of our Bible Teacher taught us about the “Father heart of God.” God has given me a word from. The Bible his leaving word to me His word (Jer: 29:11) In the middle of the class section I could not hold my self; I have started to realize the work of the word of God in my life soul. I thank God, cried out to God as my father and asked God for giveness through out Jesus Christ for my personal sin. And the teacher came to me and prayed for, for the acceptance to receive Jesus Christ and his Promised to be my personal savior, and God be my father.
Present Commitment to God:
The Holy Spirit comforts me and gave me a peace to understand the plan and purpose of God for my personal life. After four days I had baptize in the water and I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior in front of all believes in east cost –sea. At this point we as a family serving with our nation as a minister evengelist leading bible study group to help our communoty people group to srand between the gap lack of the prasence of God into theirpersonal life. we are praying to have a fulltime support for our ministry so that we would be able to work effectively with in the entire community.
From there God has blessed me in many ways to complete my One year my training with mission out reach. God was so faithful I came back to my country and join with a mission organization to make disciples. God has blessed me beautiful wife and two daughters and I believed they are the gift and I thank God for the opportunity to serve in my family as a father. God in so good and faithful to our family and family in Christ Every time Jesus has show his compression and grace; he put compression heart to minister his kingdom by power of his living word and grace. My compassionate prayer to know God better excellent to Study more and more form his living word and transformational development in our Christian society, Church and for the nation.

My Vision for the Kingdom:
The vision I have received from the power of prayer and the understanding the will of God through powerful grace of the holly Spirit. As it has been says, and prayed by Jesus may your kingdom come…….. Your will be done….. As it is heaven. According to the prayerful prayer of Jesus the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Councilor and the savior of men. I have received the grace and faith to be a transform visionary for his kingdom to make him known through my new life experience.

Yours truly,
In HIM

(Lincoln Gomes)

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